Description: This vintage definitive postage stamp was issued by the administration of the French Southern and Antarctic Territories (Terres Australes et Antarctiques Françaises, or TAAF). The monochrome design features a 0,40 Franc face value and showcases two brown skuas (Catharacta skua) in active poses. One bird stands firmly on the ground with its wings defensively thrown upward and its beak wide open in a vocal shriek, while the second bird swoops overhead with outspread wings against a finely hatched, atmospheric polar sky. The background reveals an icy coastline bordered by jagged subantarctic mountains and drifting ice blocks. The words "TERRES AUSTRALES ET ANTARCTIQUES FRANCAISES" span the upper margin, while "POSTES" and "RF" (République Française) frame the left and bottom right corners. The species name "SKUAS" is cleanly centered underneath the central avian subject, accompanied by a small engraver signature.
Circa: 1959-1960s
Condition: Unused- Hinged
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